Openings Ontario

Constantine opens in Anndore House

The open kitchen at Constantine.

TORONTO — Chef Craig Harding and the Mercatto team celebrated the opening of Constantine, a new restaurant in the Anndore House Hotel on Charles Street in Toronto, with an epicurean journey from Italy to the Middle East. The dinner was held on May 8, and included kale, rutabaga and feta salad, Cavatelli alla Milanese and Branzino with bulgur, currants and pistachios.

The new restaurant is a owned by AlterEgo, the company behind Toronto restaurant La Palma, owned by Chef Craig Harding and Alexandra Hutchison (Campagnolo), Jack and Domenic Scarangella, and Steven Christian (Mercatto). There are three chefs at the restaurant: Craig Harding (La Palma, Campangolo), Rob LeClair (Bymark, One) and Morgan Bellis (Lavelle).

The name comes from the Roman emperor, Constantine, and the flavour profile comes from the lands in his empire, explained Jack Scarangella at the dinner. "Constantine was the emperor who brought Italian food to the Middle East." Before the restaurant opened, Scarangella took a trip to the Middle East, visiting Istanbul, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and was impressed by the spices and flavours.

"It's the first time we've done a restaurant that's not Italian," he said. "It's different from La Palma: it has 50 seats and this one is 200 seats."

Four Seasons Vancouver to close

The luxury Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver is closing its doors permanently. General manager Martin Sinclair made the announcement to his staff earlier this month.

Four Seasons issued a statement that said its lease on a 30-storey location in the city’s downtown core won’t be renewed and that its hotel would stop operating in January, 2020. The statement did not elaborate.

The hotel said that until it ceases management, “it is business as usual and employees will continue to provide the same legendary service guests have come to expect from Four Seasons.”

Four Seasons manages the hotel under an agreement with the property’s landlord, Cadillac Fairview Corp., which also owns the Pacific Centre shopping mall attached to the hotel.

Last year, Four Seasons Vancouver was sued by Cadillac Fairview for allegedly failing to modernize its facilities and equipment in line with newer luxury hotel properties in the city. The dispute began in 2015, but Four Seasons allegedly failed to resolve the issues within 60 days, and it became a matter for the court in the fall of 2017.

The five-star hotel is home to the famous Yew Seafood restaurant and bar.

The hotel says while that location is closing, they do plan to relocate, although they will not say where.

Holiday Inn Express to open in Brantford

BRANTFORD, Ont. — Vrancor Group, a leading Canadian
hospitality and development company, announced the opening of the 110-room
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford in early May. As the city’s first new build
hotel in nearly a decade, the new property, located at 27 Sinclair Blvd.,
represents the latest addition to InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) more
than 5,300 hotels worldwide.

Brantford
is recognized as the “tournament capital of Ontario” and is home to numerous
fully accessible arenas, playing fields and indoor sports facilities, including
Wayne Gretzky Centre. The area hosts more than ninety sport tournaments per
year and is rich in Canadian culture and heritage sites, including Sanderson
Centre, Bell Homestead National Historic Site, Woodland Cultural Centre and
Chiefswood National Historic Site.

Centres
of Learning include Wilfred Laurier University, Mohawk College, Six Nations
Polytechnic and Conestoga College. “We are excited to open another new
hotel and are ready to give a warm welcome to local residents and guests
visiting Brantford, County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River,” said
Darko Vranich, President & CEO, Vrancor Group.

“The
support and engagement of many organizations including Brantford Economic
Development and Tourism, Brantford-Brant Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from
major sporting organizations, sport venues and cultural facilities have been
helpful and appreciated," said Vranich.

The
110-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford offers guests everything
they need and nothing they don’t. It’s the smart choice for travellers seeking
a hotel that will help them rest and go while staying productive.

Radisson Toronto Airport West open for business

Radisson has announced the opening of Radisson Toronto Airport West located at 175 Derry Road East. The hotel has a great location for visitors flying into the area as it is only 12 miles from Toronto Pearson International Airport. Guests also have the added convenience of the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle.

“We are excited to welcome this hotel to our growing portfolio in Canada,” said Aly El-Bassuni, senior vice president, franchise operations, Americas, Radisson Hotel Group. “This hotel’s easy access to the airport and fantastic meeting space will make it a great destination for both business and leisure guests.”

The hotel has 100 guest rooms and suites. Guests have access to a fitness centre, business centre, free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and complimentary parking. It serves as an excellent venue for meetings or to celebrate a special day. There are 11 meeting rooms that can accommodate more than 500 people. The hotel is attached to the Grand Victorian Convention Centre, which can host an additional 900 guests. Regent Restaurant is the hotel’s dining option, which features international cuisine and signature cocktails. The hotel also has a 24-hour gift shop and room service.

“We are thrilled to open the doors of our hotel under the Radisson brand,” said Manjit Sidhu, the hotel’s owner and developer, Mehar Group. “Our team is committed to providing the best possible stay experience through the brand’s Yes I Can! service philosophy, allowing guests to relax and create memorable moments,” said Harbans Sidhu, chief executive officer, Mehar Group.

Guests can enhance their stay by downloading the Radisson iConcierge app which offers access to a wide variety of hotel services and local information before, during and after the stay such as ordering room service, receiving details of nearby attractions and checking out.

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